Tidewater Stands with the Israeli People

News Alert: The CRC of the UJFT Backs Israel's Right To Self Defense

November 15, 2012

The Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater unequivocally condemns the ongoing barrage of missiles that are being fired from Gaza into Israeli civilian centers in the past week. We staunchly support Israel's right to defend her citizens. We stand in solidarity with the Israeli people and their fight against terror, now as always.

Following a month of similar rocket attacks, over 250 rockets have been fired from Gaza since yesterday, killing three, injuring at least two, causing extensive damage to homes and businesses, and forcing hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens in the South and in Tel Aviv to seek shelter from the attacks.

In a retaliatory airstrike in the Gaza Strip Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) killed a top Hamas military commander. Ahmed Al-Jabari was the head of Hamas' armed Izz al-Dinn Al-Qassam Brigades. He was behind the abduction of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2006 and responsible for a decade of terrorist activity against Israel. Al-Jabari and a passenger were killed when their car was hit by an Israeli missile.

Wednesday's strike was part of an Israeli campaign named Operation Pillar of Defense which struck at the long-range missile capabilities of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza. Hamas leadership has responded to the Israeli operation with an escalation of rhetoric and calls for revenge. According to Israeli news source Ynet, top Hamas terrorist Ismail al-Ashkar said "The resistance's options are now open and they include suicide attacks and quality attacks in Israel cities."

As the IDF's spokespeople begin signaling the country's willingness to deploy ground forces into Gaza, there is a possibility of an escalation in the cross-border fighting. "Facing such aggression, Israel has demonstrated extraordinary restraint, but no country can sustain such flagrant attacks indefinitely," said Michael Oren, Israel's Ambassador to the U.S.

Alvin Wall, the President of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, said, "Israeli parents, like American parents--and Palestinian parents--seek a life in which children can live without fear. Israel's right to defend her citizens is non-negotiable."

The CRC of the UJFT reiterates our recognition of Israel's right and moral obligation to defend her citizens. The CRC of the UJFT gratefully acknowledges our colleagues at the JCRC of Greater Washington with whom we work closely to keep both of our communities informed.

For statements to the media and suggested accurate resources, please contact Robin Mancoll, Director, Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. 757.965.6120 or rmancoll@ujft.org.